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European local and regional authorities: freedom of assembly belongs to everyone, also to gay people

Today the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe adopted a “Resolution on freedom of assembly and expression for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered persons” in which recent bans on pride events and other public demonstrations by LGBT people in some European countries were strongly condemned.

The Congress reminded the local and regional authorities throughout Europe that is it their duty to ensure that the freedom of assembly and expression is enjoyed by LGBT people without any discrimination.

Patricia Prendiville, Executive Director of ILGA-Europe, said:

“We wholeheartedly welcome this important resolution. The Congress is one of the main European forums for the representatives of local and regional authorities in Europe. This resolution provides further reinforcement that freedom of assembly and expression is one of the fundamental human rights strictly guarded by the Council of Europe and LGBT people must enjoy these rights in absolutely the same way as any other citizens.

We hope that this strong signal from the European local and regional authorities will provide a significant obstacle to those few European mayors and city/town counsellors who are still contemplating banning or restricting LGBT Pride marches or any other public demonstrations and events by and for LGBT people in Europe.”